By Mark Coppin
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Transforms Assistive Technology Director
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echnology is rapidly changing and it seems almost impossible to keep up with everything. However, this rapid advance shows how quickly technology is impacting our lives. We hope to use this Technology Corner to showcase some of the exciting advances in the area of educational and assistive technologies and how they are impacting the world of our children and young adults. We will also use this as a forum to showcase some of the newer technologies that we are exploring at Anne Carlsen. We want to share stories on how these technologies are directly impacting the lives of our children and young adults. We will also introduce some of the new and promising technologies that are on the horizon. Lastly, we will share with you some tricks and tips that are available on your mobile devices that you may be able to use.
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Advances in today’s technologies are opening up a world of opportunities for persons of all abilities. At Anne Carlsen, we believe that these technologies can level the playing field for those we serve and provide them with tools to be more independent and to realize their dreams.
with visual impairments and closed captioning are some of the features that provide access for those who may not have had access in the past. Because these devices are small and mobile, our children and young adults have access anywhere and anytime. They now can carry their supports with them.
Technology is smaller, more powerful and less expensive than in the past. This allows us to put more tools and more supports into the hands of our students and young adults. Most of our students and young adults grew up with technology and are used to using it. They are comfortable using computers, iPads, cell phones and other mobile devices. Most of these devices have accessibility features built into them. These features can be modified and customized to meet the needs of each individual. Features such as text-to-speech, voice recognition, screen readers for those
The other huge benefit is that these solutions are on commercially available devices such as phones and tablets. This drives the prices down and removes the stigma of having to carry a specialized device with them. Everyone has a mobile device they carry around with them, so supports and specialized solutions are no longer as apparent. This is very apparent when you spend any time around our students or young adults at Anne Carlsen. You will see students working on their educational tasks using a computer
and iPad, but if you look closer you will see a much broader and more powerful use if the technology. You will see students using these very same devices to communicate with their world. It is their voice. You will see students using these devices to organize their lives, monitor their behaviors, complete daily living activities and more.
technologies such as 3-D printing, virtual reality, augmented reality, robotics and the internet promise to bring great opportunities to those we serve.
At Anne Carlsen, we are exploring these newer technologies and looking to the future. Not only are we exploring these technologies, we are working with An excellent example is developers and engineers to “People think that Chase. Chase uses two butassure that these technolohaving a disability tons or switches that are gies will meet the needs of our is a barrier. But that’s mounted off to each side students and young adults. We not the way I see of his head. He taps those are not exploring these new it. When technology switches with his head and technologies just because we is designed for uses a built-in feature on want to, but we feel compelled everyone, it lets his iPad called Switch Conto. We feel compelled to provide our children and young trol to control his iPad. He anyone do what adults the tools to make them has full control of his iPad. they love.” more independent and allow He uses his iPad to comthem to realize their dreams. municate with others, do his school work, correspond with family and In closing, I want to leave you with a quote friends, listen to music and more. Eventually that really sums up my approach to technolhe will be able to control many other devicogy. The quote (above) is from one our es such as lights and a thermostat from his clients, Sady Paulson. Sady is one of our iPad. The possibilities are endless. many success stories. She is a testament on how power of technology can truly Another example is Onyx. Onyx is going to change lives. first grade in the public schools. Using a regular keyboard and mouse is very difficult and fatiguing for him. But that doesn’t stop him from being a full participant in his class. Onyx uses a specialized camera (Head Mouse) that recognizes a small reflective dot on his glasses. He uses the dot to control his computer using a built-in accessibility feature called Dwell Control. Everything you and I can do with the keyboard and mouse, he can do with his Head Mouse. Not only has this technology given him an opportunity to participate in Equipped with class, it has given him the head-tracking opportunity to thrive. The future promises to be exciting because of the rapid advances in technologies. It is truly an exciting time to be in special education and working with assistive technologies. Newer
technology to control mouse movement, Onyx seamlessly interacts with his learning assignments.
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